By Edwin Mauluka
Minister of Education, Science and Technology Bright Msaka has urged Members of Parliament to channel a significant portion of the reformed MWK5 billion Constituency Development Fund (CDF) toward building more schools in their constituencies.
Msaka made the appeal in Parliament on Thursday while responding to a request by Salima Central West MP Enock Phale, who called for the construction of girls’ hostels at Kaphirintiwa and Chinguluwe Community Day Secondary Schools (CDSS) to provide safe accommodation for female learners.
President Peter Mutharika announced in October that beginning in the 2026/2027 fiscal year, each constituency will receive MWK5 billion under the revamped CDF to accelerate local development.
“Once Parliament resolves the matter regarding MPs’ involvement in managing the CDF, I am sure the honourable member will prioritise education and help ensure a large share of the fund goes toward school infrastructure,” Msaka said.
He stressed that “education is a valuable investment,” urging lawmakers to direct a fair proportion of CDF resources toward expanding learning facilities.
Msaka assured Malawians that the government plans to build more Community Day Secondary Schools across the country to improve access and keep girls in school. “We believe the lasting solution is to build more secondary schools so that our boys and girls can access education without travelling long distances,” he said.
He noted that long distances remain a barrier to education, often forcing students, especially girls, to seek unsafe self-boarding arrangements, which increases the risk of dropouts, pregnancies, and early marriages.
Providing on-campus accommodation for girls, he said, is one strategy to reduce dropout rates. However, he explained that the ministry’s policy prioritises constructing more CDSSs within reach of communities rather than building hostels at schools located nearby.
Phale also asked the Ministry of Education to develop a policy requiring all new secondary schools to include girls’ hostels, but Msaka clarified that hostels would be built only where schools are far from residential areas.
Mwanza West MP Maureen Chitsulo Chirwa appealed for additional secondary schools in her district, saying poor exam performance is tied to long travel distances. She requested new schools at Phanda and Chimlango.
Msaka responded: “If found appropriate, we will build secondary schools within reach of children. Be assured that these schools will be constructed to help you achieve your vision for the area.”
